Rajasthan Escapes Sky-Borne Threat Following Ethiopian Volcanic Eruption

Jaipur: Following the eruption of a volcano in Ethiopia on Sunday, concerns had arisen across India regarding potential impacts on air travel and air quality. International flights faced disruptions on Monday and Tuesday due to volcanic ash, and meteorologists had initially warned that Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat might experience fallout from airborne volcanic particles.

However, the Rajasthan Meteorological Department has now confirmed that the state remains unaffected, bringing relief to residents and authorities alike.

Volcanic Ash Impact Assessment
The Meteorological Department had been closely monitoring the situation after ash from the eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar region reached heights of up to 14 kilometers in the atmosphere. The ash cloud traveled across the Red Sea, over the Arabian Peninsula, and towards the Indian subcontinent, leading to the cancellation of seven international Air India flights on Monday and four more on Tuesday.

Radheyshyam Sharma, Director of the Rajasthan Meteorological Department, stated that although some ash particles were initially expected to reach parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, the wind currents have now carried them away, and no significant impact has been observed in the state. Authorities have therefore declared that the threat has been averted.

Relief for Rajasthan Residents
With the volcanic threat neutralized, the state can continue to focus on regular winter weather conditions without concern over ash-related hazards. Meteorologists will, however, maintain vigilance in the coming days to ensure public safety.